Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-19
IELTS Writing Task 1 question
Your English-speaking friend who lives in your town has asked for your advice about learning a new sport. Write an email to your friend. In your email:
- recommend a new sport that would be suitable for your friend to learn
- explain how your friend could learn this sport
- suggest that you both learn this sport together
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear ....................................,
Student answer (Band 7.5)
Dear Jack,
It was really great to hear from you. I hope you are doing well. Also, I am thrilled to know that you finally decided to try a completely new sport. In my opinion, you should learn Ice hockey. It is really fun and quite an experience trying this sport.
Although it can be a little tough at the beginning, it can be extremely enjoyable once you learn it. There are a few stadiums in our city that offer lessons for beginners. However, the rates and timings might be a little different. If possible, you can enroll in one of the sessions and learn how to skate and play.
It is such a coincidence that I have wanted to learn it for a long time too. However, due to some prior commitments, I could not do it. If you do not mind, I would love to join you for the classes. It will be really fun to have some company.
Let me know if you find any suitable stadiums, so we can learn together.
Best regards,
PP
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0
The response successfully addresses all three bullet points of the prompt. You clearly recommend ice hockey, explain how to learn it by mentioning local stadiums and lessons, and propose learning together. The tone is appropriate for an email to a friend, maintaining a friendly and informal register throughout. The ideas are well-developed and relevant, providing enough detail to satisfy the requirements of the task. The structure is logical, with each paragraph focusing on a specific part of the instructions, which helps the reader follow your advice easily. Overall, the task is fully achieved.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0
The email is well-organized with clear paragraphing. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, which aids the logical progression of ideas. You use cohesive devices such as 'Although', 'However', and 'If possible' effectively to link sentences and ideas. The transition between the recommendation, the practical advice, and the suggestion to join together is smooth. The use of referencing is clear, and the overall structure is coherent. There is a natural flow throughout the text, making it easy to read and understand. No significant issues with cohesion were noted.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary suitable for an informal email. Phrases like 'prior commitments', 'thrilled to know', and 'suitable stadiums' show a good command of language. While the vocabulary is generally accurate and appropriate, it is mostly functional. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more idiomatic expressions or less common collocations to add more flair. However, the current range is sufficient to convey your message clearly and naturally without any errors that impede communication. The word choices are precise enough for the context provided.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The grammar is generally accurate, with a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You use conditional sentences ('If you do not mind', 'If possible, you can...') correctly. There are very few grammatical errors, and the punctuation is used effectively to manage the flow of the text. Most sentences are error-free, and the control over verb tenses is consistent. While the range of structures is solid, incorporating a few more varied complex structures or passive constructions could further enhance the grammatical sophistication of your writing. Overall, the accuracy is high and communication is never impeded.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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